Calling all munitions experts.

[watermonger]

I need some help verifying some information I have complied is correct. I was doing research for another flight sim and while the community may be helpful they are severely lacking in real knowledge, from my short time reading this forum it appears to have some very well informed posters ATM so I was wondering if I could recruit them for help and in turn help compile some information for the developers of this game. I have been searching for information regarding the High explosive shells of various weapons used by Soviet and German aircraft in WWII. So far this is what I have compiled, with a list of sources at the bottom. What I am wondering is if I have done anything incorrectly, if my sources are wrong, and if anyone has any original documentation they could provide to help source things.

 

 

Mk-103. http://en.wikipedia....i/MK_103_cannon

 

330g HE/M ( 72g or 85g HA41 (RDX mixture with incendiary properties) ~1370 kJ/kg),  860 m/s muzzle velocity, 90,008 ft/lbf of kinetic energy. Chemical energy of (72g) 72,753 ft/lbf  or (85g) 85,889 ft/lbf .

 

NS-37. http://en.wikipedia....n-Suranov_NS-37

 

735g HE/HEI Contact Fuse (32g or 35g A-IX-2/Hexal (RDX mixture with incendiary properties) ~1370 kJ/kg), 900 m/s muzzle velocity, 219,550 ft/lbf of kinetic energy. Chemical energy of (32g) 32,334 ft/lbf or (35g) 35,366 ft/lbf.

 

M4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4_cannon

 

609g HE Contact Fuse (45g Tetryl 1208 kJ/kg or 48g Comp A (RDX mixture) ~1370 kj/kg), 610 m/s muzzle velocity, 83,432 ft/lbf of kinetic energy. Chemical energy of (45g) 40,093 ft/lbf or (48g) 48,502 ft/lbf.

 

Mk-108. http://en.wikipedia....i/MK_108_cannon

 

330g HE/M ( 72g or 85g HA41 (RDX mixture with incendiary properties) ~1370 kJ/kg),  540 m/s muzzle velocity, 35,487 ft/lbf of kinetic energy. Chemical energy of (72g) 72,753 ft/lbf  or (85g) 85,889 ft/lbf .

 

BK 5. http://en.wikipedia....iki/BK_5_cannon

 

1760g HE/M (350g of PETN 1205 kJ/kg) 920 m/s muzzle velocity, 549,360 ft/lbf of kinetc energy. Chemical energy of (350g PETN) 311,841 ft/lbf or (350g HA41)  353,587 ft/lbf.

 

Source for NS-37 info:http://russianammo.o...Page_37mm.html?????? and http://forum.guns.ru.../36/694208.html

 

Source for M4 info:http://p63kingcobra....uto_cannon.html

 

Source for BK 5 info:http://www.scribd.co...Bordkanone-BK-5  http://www.luftarchi...php/t-4127.html

 

Source for explosive info:http://cdn.preterhum...burg (2002).pdf

and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RDX

 

 

And some information gathered by another user of said forum

 

 

Hispano Mk.II (RoF: 600 RPM = 10 RPS unsynchronized; Belting: 1:1 HE:AP(-T) )

HE: V₀=880m/s; m=130g; Explosive content=10.4g (8%); E_Kin,0=50336J; E_Chem=14248J.

AP(-T): V₀=840m/s; m=168g; No Explosive; E_Kin,0=59270J; E_Chem=0.

 

MG151/20 (RoF: 750-800 RPM = ca. 13 RPS unsynchronized; ca. 12 RPS synchronized; Belting: 1:1:3 API:Incen:Mine)

API: V₀=720m/s; m=117g; Incendiary content=3.627g (3.1%); E_Kin,0=30326J; E_Chem=4367J.

Incendiary: V₀=720m/s; m=115g; Incendiary content=3.68g (3.2%); E_Kin,0=29808J; E_Chem=4430J.

Mine: V₀=800m/s; m=92g; Explosive content=20.24g (22%); E_Kin,0=29440J; E_Chem=27729J.

 

ShVAK (RoF: 750-800 RPM = ca. 13 RPS unsynchronized; ca. 10.5 RPS synchronized; Belting: 1:1:1 HEI:HE:API (belting might be different))

HEI (OZ): V₀=770m/s; m=96g; Incendiary content=3.3g; Explosive content=2.8g; E_Kin,0=28459J; E_Chem=7809J.

HE (OF): V₀=790m/s; m=91g; Explosive content=6.7g; E_Kin,0=28397J; E_Chem=9179J.

API (BZ): V₀=750m/s; m=96g; Incendiary content=2.5g; E_Kin,0=27000J; E_Chem=3010J.

 

 

If anyone can add to this list I am also interested in information for the BK 3,7. I have read about the existance of M-Gesch rounds for it but have yet to find any information regarding explosive fillings. I know some of these weapons were not in use in the time period of the game but I just copy pasted the info from the other forum. Another question I have is are there more weapons that info could be compiled for in this list, and if so could you guys post regarding them as well.

 

[JtD]

Hi watermonger, do you know "Handbuch der Flugzeug Bordwaffenmunition 1936-1945". It contains 268 pages of information and while probably not complete, it is very detailed on many aspects and I'd highly recommend it. It is in German, but it isn't much text anyway. You can download it, and much other interesting material from this site.

[Crump]

http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/WW2guneffect.htm

 

http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/miltech.htm

 

Anthony Williams is a great resource.  He has written several books and is a regular contributor to several decent forums where knowledgeable folks exchange information.  You can email him and I am sure he would help you out.

 

He does a very good comparision of both the weapons and ammunition in the Gun Effectiveness article.  I believe it answers your questions.

 

Scroll down the second link to the aircraft section and you will see some of his articles.

 

The 5MB limit prevents me from sharing other documents or I would give you the study Krupp Armament did on weapon effects.  That research resulted in the Mk108 and minegeschoss ammunition.

 

[watermonger]

http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/WW2guneffect.htm

 

http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/miltech.htm

 

Anthony Williams is a great resource.  He has written several books and is a regular contributor to several decent forums where knowledgeable folks exchange information.  You can email him and I am sure he would help you out.

 

He does a very good comparision of both the weapons and ammunition in the Gun Effectiveness article.  I believe it answers your questions.

 

Scroll down the second link to the aircraft section and you will see some of his articles.

 

The 5MB limit prevents me from sharing other documents or I would give you the study Krupp Armament did on weapon effects.  That research resulted in the Mk108 and minegeschoss ammunition.

I have read most of his pages, does he generally respond to random emails?

[Crump]

Yes, he will try to help. Just be courteous and mature.

[79_vRAF_Friendly_flyer]

Here's an on-line Williams article comparing various WWII aeroplane armament rounds and their destructive potential, I think you might find some relevant info there:

 

http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/WW2guneffect.htm

[danperin]

good stuff...